Lace-knitting machine



LACE KNITTING nuca'nla Aug. 26 1924.-

original Filed Neige. 71912- 10 `sheets,.smmq; 1

' @d V` ghuaMlSo/a 4 Re., 15,901 I l. SPRINGTHORPE LAGE xm'r'rmenncmz 'Aug. 26 1924. l

original Fuga Nov. e, V1912 10 'sheets-sheet 2 anne/wko@ Aug. 2 6.- 1924.

l. SPRINGTHORPE LACE' KNITTING ummm original'Filed Nov. e, 1912 l1o sheets-(sneu s l l Af'alac Aug. 26, 1924. Re; 15,901

' l. SPRINGTHORPE LACE KNITTING MACHINE original Filed Nv..ke, 1912 1o sheets-sheet 4 l. SPRlNGTHORPE LAGE KNITTING uAcmlz Aug. 26

Original Filed Nov, 6, 1912 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug.- ze 19z4`. Re, 15,901

* 'SPRINGTHQR'- LACE'IKNITTING'IQACIIE A original "Piledwom e', um.r 1 o sheets-snure Aug; 26 l1924.

SPRINGTHQRPE LACE KNITTING MAC-EINE:

original Filed Novlfe, 19-"1`2 1o sheets-sheet 7 Aug. 26 `1924. Re.-15,90l

l. SPRINGTHORPE LA'cE KNITTING ncg1`1w Original Filed'Nov. 6v, 1912 l0 She'ets-Sheet 9 fj@ /J anonym Reiued Aug. v26, 1,924.

gPATENT orrics.

ISAAC SPRINGTHORPE, F GEBMANTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB, BY MISNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 SPRINGTHORPE TEXTILE MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORA- TION 0F DELAWARE LACE-KNITTING MACHINE,

Original No. 1,165,294, dated December 21, 1915, Serial No. 729,865, led November 6, 1912. Application for reissue Med .Tuly 18, 1917. Serial No. 180,936.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC SPRINGTHORPE., a citizen of the United States, residing at Germantown, Philadelphia, in the county of 6 Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improve-ments in Lace-'Knitting Machines, of,

y which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to fabric `knitting l0 machines, and more particularly to the class of machines for the manufacture of pattern lace.

Heretofore, the iness of texture of machine-made lace and also the speed of roduction have been limited and hampered) by the Idiiiiculty of accurately and speedily relocating the thread-guides in proper posi- -tions to enable the needles to pick up the threads during movements1 designed for that purpose. Within certain fixed limits of from six to ten thread-guides and needles to the linear inch earlier machines were able to knit from eighty to one hundred courses 'per minute with a. fair degree of accuracy. An

u attempt to increase the number of threa guides and needles to the inch for the lpur- N'pose of producing finer grades of work has been prevented by the impossibility of locating the moving part-s with suiicient accuracy $0 to insure against interference or striklng of the thread-guides and needles against each other. Likewise, any eifort to increase the speed of the machine, even on coarse work, metwith an exactly similar handicap, i. e., inaccurate placing of the thread-guides or insufficient time in"-which the'operative. parts,

could so position the thread-guides as toinsure ,a clear path for the needles. 'This didiculty will be readily understood when it is 40 remembered that the control and movement of the thread-guides longitudinally has been accomplished by a system of connected links attached to the pattern chain at one end and to the thread-guides at the opposite end.

The thread-guides themselves, instead of be ing rigidly mounted, were suspended in a rocking cradle which swung them in an arc, their arcuate path being intersected at -intervals by the needles moving only in a vertical direction.

lThe object of the resent invention is to dispense with the rocpking cradle heretofore used and to arrange the thread-guides for sliding movement 1n straight paths subject to direct and positive actuation by pattern chains which are adapted` to be selectively arranged according to the pattern which is to be knitted. By this arrangement of the thread-'guides and their direct actuation by the' links of the pattern chains, my machine overcomes the limitations asto coordination of needles and thread-guides, speed of o eration, and rate of reduction, as well as neness of texture in lering in those lace kniting machines heretofore known to the art, and accomplishes rfect coordination of the thread-guides an needles, prevents an interferencebetween them regardless o the number of needles and guides used to the linear inch, greatly increases the speed of the machine and its output for both coarse and fine textures of goods and renders' it possible to produce goodshaving a fineness of texture not heretofore obtained, and a greatly increased rate of production thereof. These advantagesvare very largely due to the direct and positive operation of the threadguides by the pattern chains. In practice, the thread-guides are carried by slidable bars which are directly actuated from the pattern chains by slides and are held against the slides by springs but modifications in that respect may be resorted to, the fundamental feature of this part of my machine being the directand ositive vactuation of slidable thread-guides y pattern chains.

Whereas the old rocking cradle type of machine may use only from six to twelve thread-guides andneedles to the linear inch and knit from eighty to one hundred courses per minute, my machine will successfully -operate in producing the finer grades of work when employing as many as twentyfour thread-guides and needles to the linear inc-h and produce from one hundred to one hundred and fifty courses per minute, that is, with the needle bar operating at the rate of from one and two-thirds to two and onehalf movements in each direction per second. During the small fraction of a second i v between the forward and backward move ment of the needle bar, longitudinalA read` 'ustment of one or all ofV the thread-guide ars takes lace. This movement may be or more needles to the right'or left, and in such perfect alinement thatv the needles can again pass through the thread-guides without contact therewith.

The direct actuation of the thread-guides by the pattern chains not only results inv atly increased output in both coarse and ne goods but the quality of goods produced is very high,- the variet of patterns which' may be kn1tted is very arge, and numerous kinds of goods, other than lace, can be prof duced on t-he same machine by proper ad'- justment.'

provision if a machinewherein the thread guides and needles which cooperate with each other are effectively actuated and controlled so that the knitting of lace of various patterns may be accomplished during thc' operation of the machine'.

Another object of the invention is the provision ofy a machine of this character wherein the thread guides are controlled and actuateda'i tleir mg'ements frrlrln a seriles of i esi `ttern ains, t e needle? witliathe t-hreadguides being vertically,- obliquely and horizontally movable for effecting the proper casting of the threads in the formation of the lace fabric, thereby eliminating the usual rocking of the thread guides through an arc vand the intersecting of the arc at intervals by the needles, which is common` in machines heretofore constructed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a `machine of this character wherein a series of needles will be caused to to the path of movement thereof with respeci'. to thethread guides which are sinmltaneously operated for t-he proper placing of the .threads in the manufacture of lacefabrics of various patterns' l .A` still further object vof the invention is the provision .of a machine of this charac-4 ter 1n which a minimum number of working partslare employed, the.said parts being arranged I to produce the desired results with minimum movements of the needles an'd thread guides. l i

A` still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character in which the means for actuating the rows of threadguides consist of link. chains, the com nent parts ofwhich areselected accorlirg tothe pattern of the lace fabric.. desired to be knitted. y

The pattern chains constitute the designcontrolling means of t-he machine, there being`as. many chains used wher. knitting a y give'n fabric as there are thread-guide-car- The `primaryobject of the invention is the rying bars em loyed, each chain actuating a given thr -guide bar and determining the frequency of' movement and amplitude thereof. Each pattern chain is composed of detachably (gmnected links whose sequer'ice and character are a matter of selection "by the knitter, according to the design and character of fabric the'machinel isto produce. Different links have .cani surfaces of different heights and profiles but the unit of variation in the heights of the links will be the same as the distance between an pair of needles orv thread guides'employe For instance, if six needles and sixthread guides are being used to the linear inch. the'unit of variation between the height`- of the links will be one-sixth of an inch. Thus, a pattern chain link one inch'high will cause, by reason of the direct and positive operation of 'the thread-guidemrrying bars by the pattern chains, a longitudinal movement of the thread-guide bar past six needles. The detachability, reve-rsi'bility, and interchangeability of the links enables each patlos traverse a triangular path for cooperationn'tern chain to be selectively set up lat will with laterally movable thread guides which` are actuated and controlled through speciallly designed pattern chains. thereby knitting a certain pattern of lace fabric without requiring the rocking of the thread guides in an arc and 'the intersection of the needles at intervals in the arc, thus eliminating complicated mechanism in the machine and assuring positive and effective working thereof with a resultant uniform formation of a lace fabric of any predetermined design.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this char.- acter wherein the camsfor actuating and` controlling the movements of the needles may be readily adjusted, thereby varying the course or throw of the needles relative andarranged in any desired relationship to the other pattern chains, the whole comprising a novel controlling means. The pattern chains are positively engaged by, and driven from, drums whereby', once said chains have` been selectively set, the drums cause them to repeatedly and invariably carry out their cycle of operations.

While my improved pattern chains are' lmrticularly. designedland adapted for the direct and itive operation of the thread guide bars 1n the present machine, they are 125 capable of ilse in other machines and relationships'as an automatic controlling means for'effecting a` sequence of operations orcarrying out a. predetermined control of other instrumentalities and I therefore claim them loo` inentary edge elevation of one of the eithcr in combination with the thread-guide bars, or, as a controlling means per se.

A A still further object ofl the invention is the rovision of a machine-of this character w eren themechanism thereof is controlled and actuated for the various, movements of the needles and thread guides necessary in the knitting of' a-y patternvof lace fabric. A v

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the lace fabric will be acted upon through the medium Aof take up the completed work in the parts of the machine or undue stretching thereof during the knitting of the said fabric while the machine is in operation.

Other objects will be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter;

The invention accordingy consists in the features `of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of theJ application of which will be indicated in the following claims. l

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a side or end elevation of the machine, looking toward the left hand side thereof. Fig. 4 is a similar view, looking toward the right hand side of the machine. Fig. 5 is a vertical,` longitudinal sectional view taken on the line -5-5 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction ofthe arrow. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine,

showing the initial operative position of thel needles with relation to the thread guides. Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the second or next operative position of the needles with res ect to the thread guides. Fig. 8 is an en arged irregular vertical transverse sectional view through the right hand end of the machine, showin the connection between the pattern chains and the thread guide bar. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the chain drum, showing one form of pattern chain. `Fig. 10 is a similar view showing another form of pattern chain. Fig. 11 is a. similar view showing a. still further form of pattern chain. Fig. 12 is a similar view showing a still further form of pattern chain. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 1, showing the connection betweenthe thread guide bars and the various pattern chains. Fig. v14 is a fragattern chains, showing the position of pthe drive pins and the manner of joining the links ofthe chains together. Fig. 15 is a drive shaft, showing the cams which operbar, Fig. 1'6 is a. top'plan view of one of the kreciprocating cambars. Fig.y 17 is a yside elevation thereof.f Fig. 18 is a. fragmentary sectional view through the l,main

ate the reciprocating pitmen for control ng the transverse horizontal movement of the needle bar. Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the part shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional diagrammatic view illustratin the course ofthe threads from the warp ams to the work take-up rolls with the needles, work plate and thread guides in their initial position. Fig.- 21 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through a series of the-thread guides, showing the relative position of one of the needles, work plate and Ithe said thread guides. Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21, showing-the next relative posit-ion of the needle, work plate and thread guides. Fig. 23 is a. view similar to Fig. 21, showing the next or final relative position of the needles, Work plate and thread guides, with the needles about to cast the stitches formed in the preceding positions. Fig. 24 is' afragmentary rear elevation" of the thread guides interposing threads within the pathk 1.

of .the open needles.

Similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout `the several views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the legs A and cross sills B constitute the base or foundation upon which the machine is vsupported or rests, and C designates the basket or receptacle for receivingl respectively, the main and superposed frame structures having their sides connected together through the medium of tie rods 14, which extend transversely of the said frames suitable manner. The rack arms 12 and 13 are formed as usual in their upper edges with spaced alining seats or notches 15, in which are detachably engaged the journaled `ends 16 of warp carrying rollers 17, which are arranged in superposed pairs, but it is to be understood that any number ofthese rollers may be arranged in the superposed.

Iand are fastened to the sides thereof in any `structure for Vthe carrying of theirequired warp threads forthe successful and'eiective operationy of' the machine. iThe rollers 17 will be vhergefina'fter ,referred to as warp beams,and are acted upon by meansof brake straps'or' cords, 18 which are trained about the saine and also about fixed'parts of the frame structure, the rends of vthestraps or cords being provided with wei hts 19 which sustain them taut about'the eams 17 for controlling the speed of rotation thereof during the workingof the machine.y

Suitably fixed to the inner farces of the sides D of the main frame at a. point spaced below the lowermost warp beams 16 are opposed brackets 20 for su porting an upper series of fixed tension rol ers 21 anda lower seriesbf movable tension' rollers 22, the brackets bein provided with. up er and lower series o vertical slots 23 an 24, respectively, in which the ends of the tension 'rollers are engaged. The upper series of a slots A23 open through the top edges of the brackets or supports 20 scas to permit the convenient removal of the upper tension rollers 21, while the lower series of slots 24 are closed at opposite ends toglimit the vertical movement of thelower tension rollers 22, the warps or threads from the beam "16 being trained over the said upper and lower tension rollers 21 and 22 when engaged in lthe thread guides hereinafter described.

Suitably fastened `to the sides D of the mainframe at the innerl faces thereof .are

L-shapedV brackets 25 with op osed horizonare engaged5 'adjustable U-shaped yokes 27, the ends of tal'guide grooves 26 in whic the said yokes being tapped with-set screws 28 which are passed through slots 29 'formed in the Lshaped brackets 25, and in this manner the-'said yokes 27 may be secured in adjustedA position in the said bracket. Formed centrally in the yokes are vertical Y guide-ways A3() in which areA` arranged vertically adjustable gage plates 31, each being formed with -an offset ear 32at its upper edge, in which is threaded an` adjusting screw 33, the same being designed to work against the upper edge of the yoke 27, so that the gage plates 31 can accuratelyv adjusted vertically'in the guideway 30, the `gage plate 31 being locked in its adjusted position by means of set screws 34 threaded therein and working through' vertical slots 35 formed in each yoke 27. The gage plates 31 are arranged oppositeeach other and carry a series of vertically ad'ustable guide bar holders 36.each being ormed with a vertical slot 37 through whichis'passed a set screw 38, the same being engaged in the gage plate 31 for adjustably fastening the said holder 36 thereto.

CarriedbyV and laterally movable below the holders 36 is a series of guide bars 39 formed'at their upper edges near.opposite ends thereof with dpairs of spaced lugs 40 in which are mounte adjustab e guide pins 41, the same loosely and slidably engaged' .in perforations 42 .formed in the lower ends of the guide bar holder 36, whereby the said guide bars 39 will vbeV slidably suspended byA which is journaled a driven pattern chainl dru'm operating sha'ft44 for actuating and `controll1ng the pattern chain mechanism,

which comprises a drum 45 formed with a series of spacedv peripheral sprocket ribs 46 providing chain recelving channels 47 thereetween, each sprocket rib being formed at intervals with notches 48 and 49,for the engagement therein of the detachable ivots 50 connecting the links 51 of the series ofV pattern' chains and' the-*driving lugs 52- mounted therein, respectively, so that the said pattern chains will be driven by the drum 45 on rotation of the sha-ft 44, the

same being actuated in a manner presently..

described. .e .f

Secured to the sideD of the main frame' between. the supports 42 in a guide block 53 in which is slidably mounted a series of slides 54 carrying at their outer ends friction rollers 55 which are adapted to engage the cam surfaces of the links 51 of the pattern chains, so that the llatter will impart tlhe required movement to the slides which are adapted to engage at their inner ends the adjustable pins 41 to impart the necessar 39. Fixed to each4 guide bar 39 at the end contiguous to the guide block 53 are hook plates 56 which engage one' end of a coiled contractile spring 57, the opposite end of which is fixed to a cross tie rod 58 mounted in the 'supports 42', the springs 57 being designed to operate upon the guide lbars 39 for sustaining the adjustable ins 41 in positive abutting r lation to the inner ends of the slides 54, t ereby assuring a. positive movement to be imparted to the said guide bars from the pattern chains during the operation of the machine. y

Detachably fixed to each of the guide bars 39 are anchoring blocks 59, preferably made from lead, in which are anchored a series of thread guides 60, through the eyes 61 of which are trained'the warp threads from the warp beams 16 supported in the superlateral movement to the guide bars ioo . tion to each other.

handends of the guide bm as, it being geen that on adjustment of the pins 64 1n the slotted sector 62 the guide bars 39 will be. a J

sustained an larly usted, thereby pos'rtioning the t read guides 60 in proper relawhich travel the pattern chains, the han ersl 67 being formed with arcuate-shaped `s ots 71 in which are engaged lockin bolts 72 carried by the bars or beams 68, w ereby the latter can be secured in the desired angular position. l j

Formed at the front of the main frame or connected with the sides D thereof, 'are split bearings73 in which is journaled a main driving shaft 74, one end ofwhich has fixed thereto a beveled pinion 75 meshing with a beveled ear 76 fixed to the driven shaft 44 so t at motiojn from the main shaft 74 will be imparted to the driven shaft 44 for operating the attern chains, while carried at the opposite end of the shaft 74 Aare tight and loose belt pulleys 77y and 78, respectivel over either of which is trained ashifta le drive belt 79 which is driven fromiany suitable motive power; the belt 79 when engaged on the fixed pulley 77 will impart rotation to the shaft 74, and on the shiftin of the belt to the last p ulley 78 the said shaft 74 will remain passive, thus the machine being at a standstill.'v ally formed with the sides D of the.

Inte main rame at a point below. the thread guides 60 are knee plates 80 having bolted or otherwise fastened to their upper faces near the rear ends thereof angle pieces 81 which serve as guides, while fixed to the front ends of the said knee plates 80. are angle pieces 82, the same being similar to the angle pieces 81 but face in the opposite direction with respect thereto, and have mounted thereon angle guides 83, and mov- 82 are slidable cam rails 84, the Samenbeing formed with laterally extending flanges 85 which are overlapped by angle lates 86 bolted or otherwise fastened to t e angle pieces 81 and 82, the cam rails 84 being formed with cam surfaces 87 and 88, respectively, While mounted upon the said rails 84 are dlagonally adjustable cam plates 89,

` each being formed with a flange 90 engaging in a slot 91 provided in the side of each rail 84..and also provided with' -a slot 92 in which is engageda securing bolt 93 carried by the cam rail 84, and in this manner the cam plate 89 is secured in adjusted position on the cam rail.

Secured' to the upper edges of the cam ycally mova rails '84 near their rear ends are ears 94 to which arey pivoted levers 95 which `are also adjustably pivoted at 96 to rockin arms'97 fixed to a rock shaft 98 journal in bearings 99 carried upon the feet 10 of the sides D of the main frame. Also fixed to the rock shaft 98 is a rocking arm 100 to which is pivotally connected a pitman 101 provided with an eccentric cam ring or strap v102 engaged about an adjustable eccentric disk 103 provided with parallel slots l104 throu h which are passed adjustin bolts 105, t e same being engaged ina dlsk 106 formed with a central hub 107 fixed to the driving shaft 74, the said eccentric disk 103 being cut away at 108 to accommodate the drivlng shaft 74 so that the said disk 103 can be readily adjusted by the bolts 105 to increase or decrease the eccentric action thereof for regulating the throw of the pitman 101 for actuating the cam rails 84 for imparting the required sliding movement thereto for operatin the needle supporting Aand operating mec a-nism, presently described.

. '109 on the inner vertical faces of which are bolted or otherwise secured lift rod guides 110 havin slidably engaged therein vertiliile lift rods 111 to the upper ends of which are fixed bearings 112- having mounted therein 'ournaled studs 113 carrying rollers 114 w ich are adapted to travel upon the cam surfaces of the cam rails 84 and the cam plate 89, for imparting the vertical movement to the lift rods 111, which haveI bolted thereto brackets 115 supporting a needle bar 116 to which are detachably connected a series of needle anchoring blocks 117 havin anchored therein needles 118 each of which is of the usual knitting needle type, the blocks being preferably constructed from lead and are cast about the needles 118 for permanently fastening them therein. Mounted in the forward ends of the bolsters 109 are studs 119 providing pivots connecting arms 120 thereto, which arms are also connected to slotted ends 121 of rocking levers 122 fixed to a rocking shaft 123 journaled in bearin 124 at the front of the main frame of t e machine.

Fixed to the rock shaft 123 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a rocking lever 125, to the slotted end 126 of which is pivoted at, 127 one end of an eccentric throw arm 128,`the same being formed with a slotted end 129 engaged about a square bearing block 130 formed with a hub 131 surrounding a the main shaft 74, and the cam 134 is engaged by a cam roller 135 mounted upon a stud 136, fixed to the throw arm 128 at one end of the slot therein, while fixed to the throw arm l128 at the opposite end of the slot therein, and projected opposite the stud 136 is a stud 137 onwhich is journaled a cam roller 138, the latter engagingv in a cam race 139 formed in a cam 140 fixed to the main drivingshaft 74, the cam 140 being designed to properly time the downward movement of the throw vrod 128,

y while the cam 134 serves to raise the same Y connected to the bracket -b at the proper interval, thus giving ositive movements to the throw rod 128 or the shifting of the needle bar 116 on the reciprocation of the holsters 109 and thereby iroparting horizontal movement to the needle. The lift rods 111 under the action ofthe cam surfaces 8.7 and 88 on the cam rails 84 and the adjustable cam plates 89 will vertically shift the needle bar 116 for the rise and Vfall of the needles connected therewith, so that the latter will cooperate with the thread guides for the placing of the warp threads in the production of the lace fabric while the machine is in operation.

-Arranged against the front faces of thevertical portion of the needle bar 116 isa work plate 141 which is preferably of wedge Vshape or upwardly tapered, and has riveted at opposite ends thereof supports 142 formed at their upper ends with out-'turned ears 143 in which'are engaged adjusting screws -144, which are adapted to work against brackets 145 resting upon the bolsters 109, the bases of the brackets being formed with slots 146 through which arepassed securing bolts 147 which are engaged in the bolsters 109 and serve to adjustably connect the brackets 145 thereto,'the supports connected with the workV plate 141 being adjustably 148, while fixed to the sai brackets 145 at the outer side thereof vare hangers 149 provided with perforated ears 150 in which are adjustably engaged hooks 151 having con.

nected thereto a latch wire 152, it.being` seen that by adjusting the hooks 151 thetension of the Wire 152 can be increasedor decreased as may be required, and this wlre 152 is designed to act upon the latchesf1-53 of the needles 118 and the various positions of the said wire relative to the needles ,118 are clearly shown in Figs. 20 to 24 yinclusive of thedrawing.I Y

Arranged below the holsters 109 and supported by the sides D of the main frame'is a take up mechanism for the finished work, comprising a` pair of hangers 154 which are formed at their up er ends with cross plates 155 engaged by the ooked ends 156 of clamps 157 which embrace the cross `rails 158 of the sides D of the main frame. The hangers 154 are provided with vertical slots 159- Spectivelyl,

means of bolts;

in which are mounted displaceable bearings 160 receiving rotatable. shafts 161 supporting vwork take-up rolls 162, 163 and 164, re-

and these carry meshing gears 1,65 whi are fixed thereto in any suitable manner and impart motion to the take-up rolls, 'causing the same to move in unison, the shaft -161 on the roll 162 being projected through one of the bearings 160 beyond its hanger 159,' and havin fixed thereto a gear 166 meshing with a pinion 167 fixed to a stub shaft 168 journaled in a bearing169, the arm 170 of which is adjustably connected by means of a bolt 171 to the cross rail 158,v and this stub shaft 168 has fixed thereto a ratchet feed wheel 172 which is acted upon by means of a pair of pawls or ratchet dogs 173 and 174, respectively, the same being adjustably connected in arcuate shaped slots 175 formed in a rocking lever 176 pivoted at- 177 to the side D adjacent thereto of main driving shaft 74 so that on the rotationY of the latter the throw rod 178 will rock the lever 176, thus moving the pawls or dogs 17 3 and 17 4, which act upon the ratchet wheel 172 rotating the latter and thereby imparting rotation to the take up rolls 162, 163 and 164 which act upon the finished work `for taking up the slack therein and delivering it from the machine.

To aid in casting the stitches itis advantageous to increase the tension of the nished work, and to produce the desired tension the take up rolls 163 and 164 are placed relatively below and in front of the needle bar when in normal or rear position so that the said take up rolls will pull the finished4 frame of themachine the said hangers can` be moved backward or forward on the frame to increase or decrease the amount of excess ,tension upon the finishedwork.' When increased tension is exerted upon the finished work an accelerated rotation of the take-up rolls isl effected by the proper adjustment of the dogs 173 and 174 so as to properly actuate the ratchet wheel 172 whereby the' slack in the finished work will be taken up as the needle bar 116 advances.

ing upon the uppe .l ost bearings 160 are coiled tension sprin,y against top bearing plates 182 fixedto the upper ends of the hangers, and are designed 'to effect a secure hold on the finished work irrespective of the variance in the thickness' of the finished work, the springs 181 being 181, the same working'Y formed on the top plates 182 to avoid a displacement` of the springs.

Theperipheral surface of the take-up roll 162 is sanded or roughened as at 184 so as to prevent the slipping of the finished work l'when acted upon by the said take-up roll.

Fixed to one side of the hangers 154 is an inclined guide or shield late 185 which is interposed in the path o the finished work as it falls from the roller 163 so as to deliect the work outwardly and prevent the contact thereof with the 'sanded or roughened surface of the roller 162, thereby avoiding interference therewith;

B'olted or otherwise securedto the sides D of the main frame at the rear thereof are xed cam arms 186 provided with cam ends 187( which oppose the cam surface 88 on the cam rails 84, and are designed to act upon the upper surfaces of the rollers 150 so as to assure the ositive `lowering of the lift rods 111 carrying the needle bar 116 during the sliding movement thereof in one direction. It 1s to be understood that the cam arms 186 may be integrally formed with the cam rails 84 in lieu of attaching the same to the sides D of the main frame as shown in the drawings.

, The adjustment of the arm 170 formed with thevbearing 1.69fpermits the use of varying sized pinions 167- 'and ratchet feed wheels 17 2 so that the feed of the take-up rolls can be varied if desired.'

The operation of the machine is as follows: The requisite number of warp beams are placed upon the arms 12 and 13 after .the said beams have been wound with warp threads, and the brake strapsA 18 are wound about the ends of the said beams. The free threads are carried downwardly around the tension rollers 21 and 22 and thence in front of,4 between or at the rear of the various thread guides 60, each thread being inserted in its proper eye 61, as shown in Figs. 2O

to 24, inclusive, ofthe drawings, after which the threads are continued downward and .wound about the work take-up rolls 162, 163 and 164, respectively. A pattern or design having been selected which is desired to be knitted, the links 51V of the pattern -A chains are assembled accordingly and are mounted upon the chain drum and supporting rolls 70,- t being seen that the cam faces of the 'chain links 51 willbe engaged i by the rollers 55 onthe outer ends of the slides 54, and that as the' cam faces ofthe said links vary in height the slides 54A will be moved longitudinally, imparting a like motion to the abutting pins 41 and thus shifting laterally the threadguiding bars 39, 'the pins 41 being held against the ends of the slides 54 by the tension of the s rings 57. As will be readily understood t e obof thismovement 1s to draw the Avarious threads across the path of the needles 118 as they move forward and backward through the rows of thread guides. The threads passing through 'one or more rows .of guides 61 will form a base or foundation for the lace fabric, and the manipulation of the other guides 60 as predetermined when assembling the various pattern chains will knit the desired pattern upon this foundation. The latch needles 118 are of a form common to machines of the knitting type, and operate in conjunction with the tapered work plate 141, and it can be said that the hooks of these needles in knitting some patterns of lace move through a ath -which may be described as a right ang e triangle, first risingperpendicularly on the short side of the triangle at the rear side of the machine, then advancing horizontally toward the rows of thread guides 60, during which movement the backs of the needles will en age and carry forward 'the design threa s which the needles 118 close to cast the stitchesalready on the needles, the'foundation threads being retained by the hooks in the meanwhile. As heretofore stated, to aidl in casting the stitches it is advantageous to increase the tension of the finished aork at this period, and to accomplish this take-up mech- -anism is adjusted in a manner as heretofore set forth. As the needle bar 116 rises the needles 118 move upward through the foundation threads, which .now form loops around the bases of the needles and-remain in this position until they are in turn cast at the next downward movement of the needle bar. To prevent false movement of the latches 153 of the needles 118 as the needles rise the latch wire 152 acts upon the latches for this purpose. To impart the above described motion to the rows ofneedles 118 the sliding cam rails 84 are reciprocated longitudinally, the rollers 114 at the ends of t-he needle bar 116 traverse thehorizontal f and oblique faces 87, 88 and" 89 of the cam rails 84, it being seen that an oblique movement of the needle bar will be produced by moving the holsters 109 longitudinally on the upper face of the knee plates 30, causing the lift rods 111 to move vertically asth'e rollers 114 travel up or downthe inclined faces of the said cam rails 84 while the latter remain stationary, buta movement of-the i rails 84 with the holsters 109 remainingy sta- Vtionarywill cause the needle bar to rise or i that the needlesv move in a triangular path,

vknitting a certain pattern of lace, it is to be clearly understood that this is only one of the paths of movement of the said needles,4

1 since. other patterns of lace will require different movements of the needles in dileren't paths, for instance, the needles having reached their highest point and advanced through the thread guides, may recede through the Vll'eadjusted guides before beginning their descent to cast the stitches. Itis to be clearly understoodv that various other move-ments of the needles are provided for through the combined and properlv timed movements of the parts hereinbefore set forth and whatever movements are-required to knit the desired ttern the needles can bemade to traverse t e proper paths in conjunction with the movement of the thread guides under the control of the pattern chains to produce thepattern. Now, with -reference to the pattern chains it will be noted that the links 51 present cam surfaces and by the detachable' screws 50 connecting the links to each other the same may be reversed, thereby `varying the action of the pattern chains for controlling the movements of the needle guides. If six needles and six thread guides are provided to the inch, the unit of variation between the hei ht of the links will be one-sixth of an in A link one inch high will thus cause a longitudinal movement of a threadguide bar past six needles, while a link one-half an inch high will move the thread guides past three needles. Should finer or coarser needles with a thread guide be used With a correspondingly similar number to the inch, then the unit of variation would of necessity be in accordance therewith. In all cases the unit of variation in the height of the vchain links4 would be the sainey as the dis-V v sign threads. The adjustable yokes 27 perthat the chain. drumv is of suflicient'circuml ference to Icarry eight .links in. a complete chain,

From the foregoing, it is construction and operation of the invention will be clearly understood, and therefore a ted.

What is claimed is 1. In a knitting machine, Va row of ver- 'thought that che more extended explanation has been omittically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right an-` gles -to the path of movement of theneedles, and mechanism for simultaneously moving -the needles in the said named directions and also for shifting the thread guides.

2. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread lguides movable at right `anglesto the pat of movement of the' needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally .shifting the needles, lmeans on the firstnamed means for obliquel moving-the said Q needles, reciprocating sli e cams actuating the lift rods, and means shifting the thread guides v 3. In a 'knitting machine, a row of vertimovement of the needles, meansl for hori-v cally, horizontally' 'and obliquely movable muy shiftingthe needles, adjustable means on the last-named means for obliquely moving the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods. and means for positively lowering the needles. e

4. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a 'series n of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means forpositively lowering the needles, horizontally movable of the needles, means for horizontallyv shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the threadv ides, a series of pattern chains contro ling the movements of the slides, and adjustable cams carried by the slide cams.

6. In a knittin machine, a row of vertically horizontal y and obliquely movable nee les, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right anles to the path of movement of the needles, ift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reci rocating slide cams actuating the lift ro s, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the cam slides and means simultaneously o rating the sli e cams, pattern chains and th); means for horizontally moving the needles.

7. In a knittin machine, a row of verticall horizontal?` and obliquely movable nee es, a series o angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right an les to the pathof movement of the needles, ift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for p'osit'ively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, and take-up mechanism arranged below the needles.

8. In a knittin machine, a row of vertieall horizontal y and obliquely movable nee les, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movementof the needles means for horizontally shifting the needles, reci rocating slide cams actuating the lift ro s, means for positively lowering the needles, hori zontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, attern chains and themeans for horizontall)y moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, and actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means.

9. In a knittin machine, a row of verti call horizontal? and obliquely vmovable nee les, a lseries o angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right an les to the path of movement of the needles, .Et rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift ro means for positively lowering -the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of patternchains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, patternchains and the means for horizontally movin the needles, take-up mechanism arrangedelow the needles, actuating connections 'between' the take-up mechanism and the operating means, and means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains.

10. In a knitting machine, a row of verticall horizontally, and obliquelyv movable nee les, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right anles to the path of movement'of the needles, ift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reci rocating slide cams ac-V tuating the lift ro s, means for positively loweringthe needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams-carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operatingthe slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally movin the needles, take-up mechanism arrangedelow the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating -fmeans, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains and ad'ustable abutment pins carried by the threa ides and in engagement with the said sli es.

11. In a knitting machine, a row ofl vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the ath of movement of the needles, lift ro sV controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of'pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means .simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving thev needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism andthe operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holdingthe same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins 'carried by the thread guides and in enga ement with the said-slides, and meansor preventing the latches of the needle snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles.

12.*In a knitting machine, a row of ver ticall horizontally and obliquely movable nee es, a series of .angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movablev at, right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means,

for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of attern chains controlling the movements o the slides, ad-

justable cams Acarried bythe slide cams,

means' simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally movin the needles, take-up mechanism arrange below 'therneedles, actuating connections between the take-up mechamsm andthe operating means, meansA acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abuttin relation to the pattern chains, ad'ustable a utment pins carried by the threa guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly .and closing on the rising of the needles, and

means 4for adjusting the last-named means.

13. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically,V horizontally and oblifuely movable needles, a series of angular y adjustable Vslidable' thread guides movable at right .angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical. movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting theneedles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positivel lowering the needles, horizontally lmova le Vslides acting upon the thread guidesfa series of pattern chains control'- ling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the lslide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, patternchalns and the means for horizontally V:ses

abutting re moving the needles, take up mechanism ar` ranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same ,in

ation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closin on the rising o the needles, means for a justing the last-named means, and guides horizontally supporting the slide cams. Y

14:51u a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquelyrmovable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the. needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, meansl for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the 4 thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, y

adjustable cams `carried by the slide cams, meansl simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, ac-

tuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern. chains, adjustable abutment pins -carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardlyl and closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, and 'a plurality .of warp beams adjustably supported above the thread guides. o i

15. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a seriesv of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable 'at right angles tothe path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement o'f the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the liftrods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally 4movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of attern chains controlling the movements of t e slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, patternchains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arran ed be ow the needles, actuating connections etween the` take-up mechanlsm and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, ad'ustable abutment pins carried by the'threa guides and in engagement' with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closin on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guides horizonta ly supporting the slidecamsfa plurality of wa'rp beams adjustably supportedl above 

